RAF Headcorn

Royal Air Force Headcorn or more commonly known as RAF Headcorn is a former Royal Air Force Advanced Landing Ground located 2 miles (3.2 km) northeast of Headcorn, Kent, England.

Not to be confused with RAF Lashenden.

RAF Headcorn
USAAF Station AAF-412
Egerton
Headcorn, Kent in England
Headcorn ALG airfield, 11 May 1944
RAF Headcorn is located in Kent
RAF Headcorn
RAF Headcorn
Shown within Kent
Coordinates51°10′58″N 000°41′16″E
Site information
OwnerAir Ministry
OperatorRoyal Air Force 1943
United States Army Air Forces 1943-44
Controlled byRAF Fighter Command
Site history
Built1943 (1943)
Built byRAF Airfield Construction Service
In useJuly 1943 – September 1944
Battles/warsEuropean theatre of World War II
Airfield information
Runways
Direction Length and surface
09/27  Sommerfeld Tracking
18/36  Sommerfeld Tracking

Opened in 1943, Headcorn was a prototype for the temporary Advanced Landing Ground airfields to be built in France after D-Day, when the need for advanced landing fields became urgent as the Allied forces moved east across France and Germany. It was used by the Royal Air Force and the United States Army Air Forces. It was closed in September 1944 and has now reverted to farmland.

Units

Two Canadian squadrons, 403 Squadron RCAF and 421 Squadron RCAF, were based at Headcorn from August to November 1943 with Supermarine Spitfire IXB's.[1][2]

The following units were also here at some point:[3]

See also

References

Citations
  1. Jefford 1988, p. 89.
  2. Jefford 1988, p. 90.
  3. "Headcorn (Egerton)". Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust. Retrieved 15 June 2020.
  4. Sturtivant & Hamlin 2007, p. 287.
  5. Sturtivant & Hamlin 2007, p. 46.
  6. Sturtivant & Hamlin 2007, p. 222.
  7. Sturtivant & Hamlin 2007, p. 233.

Bibliography
  • Jefford, C.G. (1988). RAF Squadrons. A comprehensive record of the movement and equipment of all RAF squadrons and their antecedents since 1912. Shrewsbury: Airlife. ISBN 1-85310-053-6.
  • Sturtivant, R.; Hamlin, J. (2007). Royal Air Force flying training and support units since 1912. UK: Air-Britain (Historians). ISBN 978-0851-3036-59.
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